Alaxwa from Nak’waxda’xw

Here is another slahaal song from Kwakwaka’wakw people. 

At the wonderful First Voices website, it’s given a title of Alaxwa from Nak’waxda’xw (Blunden Harbour Lahal song).

“Ba’as bighouse, 1915-1916” (Image credit: Our Homelands)

Further info provided: “Alaxwala songs Translated for Language technology program 2023-24. Recording of Tom “Mackenzie” Willie 1991, transcribed by William Wasden Jr 2023. G̱ilakas’la.”

Here’s the relevant section of the lyrics, as shown on the website with their English translation:

Ha-la ha-laheya hala-hala-tłush (Look at me good)
mi-ka-a-a ha-a na-nits nay-a-a hayga (You watch me good)
ga-ba nay-a-a-ay-ga (̓You will get it when you get it)

To my ears, that’s typically devious and taunting stickgame/bonegame singing in Chinuk Wawa:

…ɬúsh
mayka nánich nayka, 

kʰapa nayka.

Meaning, to me: “…you better / watch me / (keep an eye) on me.”

𛰅𛱁‌𛰃𛱂 𛰙𛱁𛱆‌𛰅𛱁 𛰃𛱄𛰙‌𛰃𛱄𛰙?
qʰáta mayka tə́mtəm?
kata maika tumtum? 
Que penses-tu? 
What do you think?
And can you say it in Chinuk Wawa?